In to the unknown

This class is not allowed to be over. I am scared. Scared that as this class ends my sanity will stay with it. This class keeps my heads in the cloud. If I stay grounded for too long I lose my ability to think critically. I just regained my sense of wonder and I am afraid that I will lose it again. I now look at the stars and believe that maybe, just maybe we are not alone. Maybe there is life out there, maybe robots could learn to feel, maybe all scientists are mad.

I have loved this class and am very sad to be at its end. I have learned a lot and feel renewed. I feel a sense of creativity that I am unfamiliar with, but am very excited to get to know.

This post has taken me a far too long to write. The title, although it certainly applies to the things I learned in week 10 in class, is actually a reference to my own soul right now. For all of my efforts no one showed up to the event I worked so many hours to coordinate. I feel as though people just don't care anymore. I have found robots that care, that love, that pay more attention than the humans that I look up to do. I do not understand why people just can't care. Maybe the robots were programed that way, but is so then humans had to have don't it first.

Maybe humans can no longer feel like they once did. Maybe we created robots so that we wouldn't have to care anymore. Maybe, maybe.

Wow, week 9 already. It is really sad, I feel like I have not been granted ample time to enjoy this class and this subject. I feel as though I have been led to an intersection that has 100 different roads branching off of it and then told that I only had time to explore two of them. This class has stretched me in ways that no other class ever has. I have been challenged to think, not only do, but truly ponder and dissect my feelings on topics I had barely ever thought of before. I have discovered what I think actually separates humans from everything else; animals, robots, etc...

This class been challenging, but it has also offered me an oasis. It has offered me a place to explore new realms of creativity and a relief of stress. I actually look forward to the few times I have homework for this class because it offers me a break from the world that is crashing down on me.

As our research begins I am forced to take a closer look at my definition of what makes a person a person. I must take out the elements of skin and bone and look deeper. I am finding that the metaphorical heart of a being can be made out of virtually anything. I still have not found where the line lies within the realm of cybernetics however. I am very interested to see how adding robotics to a human changes the world's view of who and what they are. So, as the lines begin to form, I am excited to see where they blur and even where they begin to break.

On a more personal note, I have decided to begin venturing into the world of spoken word poetry. I am thankful that this class has given me the push and inspiration that I needed to begin this new creative pursuit. So, Thank You.

A new marking period means a new group and a new topic. So, as me, myself, and I worked together last marking period, I am in a brand new group of three. And, just as someone anxiously awaits the next sunrise, I am patiently waiting in excited anticipation to see what this new dynamic holds for me. As much as I love conversing with the voices in my head, I think it will be good for me to see some outside ideas and inspiration.

Along with gaining new partners, I also get to study a new topic. Our group has chosen to study "The Blurred Lines Between Humans and robots." I am excited to see what these lines are and experience the changes n perspective that these types of study so often bring.

So the first verse of my last song has been sung. The first page of the last chapter of my first book is nearly complete, but my story is ever changing. The more I learn, the less I know. My perspective has shifted so much since the beginning of this class. My perception of what SciFi is, even my perception of beauty. This class has the astounding ability to teach someone so much more about the world than a "normal," English class. This class has really opened my eyes to new forms of expression and creativity that I believe will stay with me for the rest of my life.

This class has renewed my sense of curiosity, which I admit had been a bit tainted. For that I am ever grateful. It may sound odd, but this class, this Science Fiction class, has renewed my love of science. Although SciFi is a fictional genre it has given me a new view on reality.

I work alone. Perhaps it is not healthy, how much I like to be alone, but it offers me a new view. The view of the voices in my head. Yes, I realize that this post will make me sound crazy, but it's a SciFi learning blog, what did you expect? My web sight is called "doll in a microwave," obviously I'm not all there. Anyway, as far as learning this week I have discovered that when it comes to fiction and the analysis of such works, I work best on my own. My thoughts are much more organized when I have time to allow them to flow freely without the interruption of other creative opinions. This is not to say that other opinions are not welcome, only to say that I like to have time to comprehend my own thoughts before attempting to understand the thoughts of others.

This week the voices in my head have had some very interesting thoughts and perspectives on the Science Fiction material that was covered. From the reasons for the existence of numbers, to thinking of the consequences of the human race NOT being the top of the food chain. I've learned much about perspective and how my experiences have changed mine.

A light, a sound, a sense, a chill. This week I was reminded why I fell in love with science fiction. It makes you think, it makes you pause, it makes you consider the consequences of your actions like no other writing ever has. It makes you believe in man's capability and encourages you to exercise caution in the things you do in this life. It gives us inspiration. It gives us Ideas. It can give us hope and it can show us darkness. This week I was reminded of the power of words. I was reminded of the weight that poetry has on my own sole. I was reminded of who I am, why I am this way, and all the things that I could become. Science Fiction lets me dream like nothing else ever will. Science Fiction keeps me grounded, as odd as that might sound.

We learned about what makes the genera what it is. We learned about the Science be hind the fiction. We learned that stories don't have to have an ending. This is something that I try very hard not to forget. ;

"To boldly go..."- Star Trek. This has been my inspiration for this week. To dive head first into the realm of Science Fiction. To fearlessly begin the exploration of new corners of the genre. In this, the first week of my journey, I have already been shown so much. I have developed a new found love of SciFi poetry, something I did not even know to exist until now. I feel the buzz of nervous excitement as I hope to begin writing it myself.

Throughout this week I have found myself sincerely hoping that my classmates, my new found crew on this journey, are as open to the enjoyment of new discovery as I am. We are venturing into uncharted territory, this crew and I. I wish for them to see Science Fiction in the same new and shimmering that I have begun to to see it in. The light is beautiful and full new discoveries to be made and new works to be created. Each with just as much brilliant potential as bright new stars.